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Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane, who is sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury after picking up the problem while with Senegal.

Not only is Klopp losing one of his potent Premier League goalscorers in Mane, he is losing someone key to his system. Liverpool like to win the ball back as high up the pitch as possible and spring into lightning quick attacks when in possession. Without Mane, that happens less.

The statistics tell us that Liverpool tend to have more of the ball when Mane is out of the team, though that is not necessarily a good thing because Klopp prefers counter-play. It is a huge loss – but they will hope Philippe Coutinho can show why Barcelona were desperate to sign him in the summer.

Liverpool are without Sadio Mane, who is sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury

A MANCHESTER UNITED BRICK WALL

Mourinho's side have shown themselves as defensively sound, having only conceded twice in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool have had 137 shots – the most in the division, eclipsing even Manchester City – but they will find it difficult to break down this defence. What will make it tougher for Klopp is that Mourinho could opt for another shut-up-shop approach at Anfield.

That was what he did last season in their 0-0 stalemate. Mourinho threw a blanket over Klopp's fast, dynamic Liverpool and it worked as they avoided defeat, and he left the happier man. Some said it was Mourinho the Party Pooper. In reality, it was Mourinho the Pragmatic.

Mourinho threw a blanket over Klopp's fast, dynamic Liverpool in their 0-0 draw last season

SURVIVE THE FIRST HALF HOUR, THEN COMMIT

That 0-0 draw last season saw Manchester United have just 35 per cent of the ball – still the lowest possession they have had in a Premier League game since Opta began collecting data.

Mourinho will want his side to survive the first 30 minutes, when Liverpool can be lethal in front of their own fans and with the adrenaline pumping. This was something that Gary Neville picked up on this week when asked about his trips to Anfield.

United will be without the influential Paul Pogba in the middle of the park but they should not sit back for the full 90 minutes. Although Mourinho proved a point in that 0-0 draw, there is a different mood to this tie this time around and they can commit more.

United are without the influential Paul Pogba in the middle of the park but have other options

VULNERABLE LIVERPOOL GIVE YOU CHANCES

Jurgen Klopp doesn't like it when he is quizzed about Liverpool's questionable defending but it is valid to ask about why they are so vulnerable. They conceded five against Manchester City who, like United, have been in free-scoring form this season.

Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet since August 27 and what they have shown is that they present you with chances. When the other side has the Premier League's top scorer, that is a worry.

Romelu Lukaku will want to add to his tally of seven goals, knowing that he is set to get at least a chance or two to score at Anfield. It helps having an in-form Henrikh Mkhitaryan behind him.

Romelu Lukaku will want to add to his tally of seven goals in the Saturday lunch-time kick-off

MOURINHO V KLOPP

When talking about key tactical battles, how about this one on the touchline? Both managers like to be in charge and are cunning when it comes to the officials. These are two of the biggest presences in the Premier League, and Klopp and Mourinho will want to badly come out on top.

Nowadays, a lot of players are good pals in the tunnel amid hand shakes and hugs, something that would have been alien to the likes of Jaap Stam and Co back in Sir Alex Ferguson's day.

Klopp and Mourinho will no doubt want their squads to treat this tie with the seriousness it deserves. That means no swapping shirts at half-time, lads...

Klopp and Mourinho had a fiery encounter when this league fixture was played last season